Others were delighted, but some onlookers were displeased.
Ling Chiyuan's father said with displeasure, "Are you two out of your minds? How could you do such a thing?"
Old Master Ling, however, had the people dragged away. His mood had significantly improved. It was truly a relief to have bothersome and unsightly people removed. How could he not be happy?
Ling Chiyuan said with a touch of joy, "Grandfather, you are truly brave."
Old Master Ling's face was filled with pride as he chuckled, "Naturally."
...
The next day.
Ling Chiyuan's attempt to find Feng Ran was met with an unfavorable turn. He ran into Bei Chenye. He tried to skirt around Bei Chenye, but Bei Chenye blocked his path again.
Ling Chiyuan found himself with no other option, glaring coldly at Bei Chenye.
"What do you want?"
Bei Chenye replied coldly, "The Prince requests your presence."
"I have no desire to see any Prince."
"Young Master Ling, that is not something you can decide."
Ling Chiyuan: "..."
An arm can never twist a thigh. Ling Chiyuan eventually followed Bei Chenye. After all, a sword glinted near his neck; he wasn't foolish enough to prioritize his life over meeting Xuanyuan Heng.
Upon arriving at Xuanyuan Manor, Ling Chiyuan saw Xuanyuan Heng in the inner hall. Without any pretense of politeness, he walked over. When the servants brought tea, he drank it unceremoniously.
He even proceeded to critique Xuanyuan Heng's tea.
Hearing this, Xuanyuan Heng burst into laughter.
He had never encountered anyone so audacious.
He toyed with his teacup, a cold smirk playing on his lips, as if he had stumbled upon an amusing thought.
"Ling Chiyuan, stay away from Feng Ran. She is not someone you can touch."
Ling Chiyuan chuckled, a carefree laugh that seemed to lack any genuine mirth.
"Is that so? And why is that?"
"Regent, your meddling is truly excessive."
"Who I choose to be with has nothing to do with the Regent."
Xuanyuan Heng stated icily, "Ling Chiyuan, remember your place. There are some people you are not meant to approach, understand?"
"Feng Ran belongs to me. She owes me, and therefore, she is destined to be confined within my domain for all eternity."
Ling Chiyuan placed his teacup down with a clink, his voice cold. "Regent, I cannot agree with your words."
"Feng Ran is Feng Ran, and the Regent is the Regent."
"I am unaware of what she owes the Regent. But I do know this: I will protect Feng Ran for my entire life. Regent, if you dare to harm Feng Ran, I will defend her with my life."
"Are you not afraid of me?"
Ling Chiyuan laughed, a dismissive snort. "If I were afraid, I wouldn't be here now, nor would I be saying these words, would I?"
"Xuanyuan Heng, who Feng Ran belongs to will be determined by who is capable."
Xuanyuan Heng chuckled, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, producing a 'tap tap' sound that sent shivers down one's spine. Xuanyuan Heng scoffed coldly and said, "In that case, I will not hold back."
"Oh, and I seem to have forgotten to tell you one thing," Xuanyuan Heng said with a bloodthirsty smile. "Since you wish for this, I will accompany you to the end."
"However, I will only strike at you. The Ling family will be spared. After all, Old Master Ling once saved my life."
Ling Chiyuan scoffed but offered no reply. He rose and walked out.
However, as he stood to leave, a line of people blocked his path. Unfazed, he walked straight through them.
...
Ling Chiyuan had not appeared at Chunmanyuan for several days. Everyone assumed Feng Ran had been abandoned by him.
These people were secretly overjoyed.
This was precisely what they had been waiting for.
They had always believed that someone as lowly as Feng Ran could not possibly capture Ling Chiyuan's attention. They assumed his interest in her was merely a fleeting amusement. These women, however, now appeared before her, taunting Feng Ran.
Feng Ran ignored them, attending to her duties each day. She seemed accustomed to their mockery and ridicule.
Today, Ling Chiyuan finally arrived at Chunmanyuan. The other women, eager to catch his eye, had dressed themselves to the nines.
"Young Master Ling rarely visits Chunmanyuan these days. Have you found a new flame?" Qinghan, wearing a veil, spoke seductively. She leaned towards Ling Chiyuan as if boneless, attempting to fall into his arms.
Ling Chiyuan, however, sidestepped her. He glared at Qinghan with undisguised disdain and said, "Get lost."
Qinghan's face instantly paled at his harsh words.
Why did he treat her with such contempt?
Was he truly so resolute in his rejection?
"Young Master Ling, you haven't come here to find Feng Ran, have you?"
At this remark, Ling Chiyuan finally cast a rare glance her way. Qinghan's hands clenched tightly, her eyes burning with a sinister light. Why, why did he only look at her when Feng Ran was mentioned?
What was it about her that could never compare to Feng Ran?
Qinghan pondered for a long time, and a wicked thought suddenly surfaced in her mind. "Young Master Ling, perhaps you are unaware. While you were away these past few days, Feng Ran has been entertaining guests. Such a desperate, common woman. You show her such genuine care; it's likely your heart will be wasted on her."
Qinghan expected Ling Chiyuan to fly into a rage and rush upstairs to confront Feng Ran.
However, to her surprise, Ling Chiyuan kicked her away, sending her flying.
Ling Chiyuan looked at Qinghan with cold, disgusted eyes. "Heh, even if that were true, I, this young master, remain steadfast in my feelings for Feng Ran."
"Heh, it's just you. Stop wasting your efforts. I won't believe a single word you say."
Qinghan looked at Ling Chiyuan, unwilling to accept his unwavering faith in Feng Ran.
Just as Qinghan was about to speak again, Xuanyuan Heng also appeared.
The surrounding crowd immediately fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
"Why has the Regent come?"
"Indeed."
Qinghan looked at Ling Chiyuan, her eyes filled with mockery. "Look, he's here for Feng Ran too."
"He is the formidable Regent. Tell me, who will Feng Ran choose? You, or the Regent?"
Qinghan even sneered, "Hahaha, Feng Ran truly has her ways, attracting so many men to admire her."
Xuanyuan Heng's arrival, though feared, stirred some ambition in certain individuals.
They thought that if they could catch the Regent's eye, they could escape this life and live a comfortable one.
Thus, some began to waver.